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The Indianhead neighborhood Title 1 school is hosting a movie night Friday as part of an annual two-day parent and family engagement conference. It's the third year the school has hosted the conference and they expect roughly 100 people.

The movie follows the story of a Minneapolis Title 1 principal who works to save her school. A moderated discussion of the movie will follow, and the school will provide food.

It's an evening that Blackwell-Flanagan said will educate parents about many of the challenges schools face, and one she hopes will inspire a "call to action" among the parents who attend.

Schools that receive Title 1 federal funding do so because most students qualify for free or reduced lunches. That results from lower family income. There are 23 public schools that receive Title 1 funds in Leon County.

"We can change the trajectory of the child's future by the level of engagement with the parent," Blackwell-Flanagan said.

The challenges schools face, especially those that qualify for Title 1 funding, are numerous and complicated. They include:

Educating students who may enter kindergarten with no previous school experience, so are several years behind their peers.

Handling behavioral problems arising from students coming from traumatic situations.

Trying to hit a "moving target" of educational achievement.

The weekend conference initiative is unique to Hartsfield, said Ashley Scott, district Title 1 office coordinator.

"It's a one-stop shop," she said of the event's ability to educate parents about Title 1 schools. She called Hartsfield a "connector" school for coordinating partnerships in the district.